Who runs Alison
Alison's Our Story page says the platform was founded in Galway, Ireland, in 2007, and its home page lists Mike Feerick as Founder and CEO. The Terms of Use name the legal operator: Capernaum Limited, trading as Alison, located in Galway, Ireland. The same terms say they are governed by the laws of Ireland, with disputes going to the Irish courts. That gives you a named company and a jurisdiction, which is the first thing to look for on any learning site that takes payment.
Alison also publishes its own scale figures: 50 million+ learners in 193 countries, 15 million+ graduates and 6000+ CPD-accredited courses. These are the company's own numbers, not independently audited figures, so treat them as a description of reach rather than proof of quality.
| Fact | What Alison publishes | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2007, in Galway, Ireland | Our Story |
| Founder | Mike Feerick, listed as Founder and CEO | Home page and Our Story |
| Legal operator | Capernaum Limited, trading as Alison, Galway, Ireland | Terms of Use |
| Governing law | Laws of Ireland; Irish courts | Terms of Use |
| Reported scale | 50 million+ learners, 193 countries, 15 million+ graduates, 6000+ courses | Our Story (company figures) |
What the CPD accreditation statement actually covers
Alison's accreditation page says its publishing process is accredited by the CPD Certification Service (CPD UK), and that this confirms course design, structure and delivery align with continuing professional development standards. The CPD Certification Service describes itself as an independent accreditation organisation established in 1996, with members in over 100 countries.
The important limit is in Alison's own wording: a certificate can be used as part of your CPD requirements, but Alison tells you to check your organisation's guidelines. CPD accreditation is a quality check on training, not a degree, a regulated licence or academic credit. Alison also says it does not advise on whether its courses count for university or college admission, that certificates cannot be attested by embassies, and that its Diploma in Nursing Studies cannot be compared to the formal qualification of a Registered Nurse.
- Useful for: logging CPD hours where your employer or professional body accepts CPD-accredited learning, and showing initiative on a CV.
- Not a substitute for: a licence, a state-approved training program, a university credit or any credential a regulator names.
- Check before paying: ask the employer, regulator or admissions office in writing whether they accept an Alison certificate for your purpose.
How certificate verification works
Alison's help center says each certificate carries a QR code that you can scan with a phone or tablet to reach a verification page on Alison's website, and that the Alison transcript includes a verification link. The sample parchment article lists physical security features on printed certificates and diplomas: micro-embossed prismatic foil, UV-dull watermarked paper with invisible UV fibres, a guilloche background, UV-invisible ink and sequential stock numbering on the reverse.
For an employer, the practical step is to scan the QR code or follow the transcript link rather than relying on a PDF or photo. For a learner, it means the certificate you send can be checked against Alison's records, which matters if a recruiter asks for proof.
Refunds, advertising and data: what the terms say
Learning is free; Alison's help center says there is no cost to study and complete any course, and a free Learner Record confirms completed courses. Money changes hands only for certificates, diplomas, Premium and some other products, so the refund rules matter mainly at checkout.
On data, the Terms of Use say Alison collects data to provide online advertising through third parties, and that a Premium subscription disables advertising on the platform. They also say learner records stay on the platform unless you close your account, and that Alison retains course tracking history for deactivated accounts. Read the full privacy and cookie policy linked from the site footer before you sign up if this matters to you.
| Purchase | Refund rule in Alison's Terms of Use |
|---|---|
| Digital certificate or diploma | Can be cancelled and refunded only if it has not been downloaded |
| Printed parchment, not yet printed and shipped | Cancelled with a full refund |
| Printed parchment already shipped | Must be returned; partial refund minus the original shipping fee |
| Parchment where the digital copy was downloaded | The digital copy's full standard price is deducted |
| Premium subscription | Terms say no refunds for unspent time, monthly or annual (the help center describes a pro-rated refund for yearly plans; see our cancellation guide) |
| Any refund request | Made by email to customer service; Alison reserves the right to refuse |
Who Alison fits, and who needs an accredited qualification instead
- Fits: learners who want free, self-paced introductions to workplace topics and can use a CPD-accredited certificate or a free Learner Record as evidence of study.
- Fits: people logging CPD hours where their organisation accepts CPD-accredited learning.
- Skip for: regulated roles such as nursing; Alison itself says its Diploma in Nursing Studies cannot be compared to a formal Registered Nurse qualification.
- Skip for: university admission or credit transfer, which Alison says it does not advise on.
- Skip for: visa or embassy attestation, which Alison says is not available for its certificates.
Questions before you decide
Who owns Alison?
Alison's Terms of Use name the operator as Capernaum Limited, trading as Alison, located in Galway, Ireland. Its home page lists Mike Feerick as Founder and CEO.
Is Alison accredited?
Alison says its publishing process is accredited by the CPD Certification Service (CPD UK). That supports using a certificate for CPD where your organisation accepts it; it is not a formal academic or regulated qualification.
How can an employer verify an Alison certificate?
Alison says the certificate has a QR code that leads to a verification page on its website, and its transcript includes a verification link.
Can I get a refund on an Alison certificate?
Under Alison's terms, a digital certificate can be refunded only if it has not been downloaded. A parchment not yet printed and shipped gets a full refund; a shipped one must be returned and the shipping fee is deducted.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Alison: Our Story Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison: Home page Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison: Terms of Use Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison: Accreditation Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison Help Center: Are Alison courses CPD accredited/recognised? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- The CPD Certification Service: CPD explained Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison Help Center: How do I get my Certificate? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison Help Center: Sample Alison Certificate and Diploma Parchment Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison Help Center: Is Alison really free? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
Sources link directly to providers. Product buttons may use separately labeled affiliate links. Read our disclosure.